Malaysia Guide
Weather
Temperatures vary little in Malaysia, hovering constantly at or just above 30°C by day, while humidity is high year-round. Showers occur year-round too, often in the mid-afternoon, though these short, sheeting downpours clear up as quickly as they arrive. The major distinction in the seasons is marked by the arrival of the northeast monsoon (ushering in what is locally called the rainy season). This particularly affects the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the western end of Sarawak, with late November to mid-February seeing the heaviest rainfall. On the Peninsula's west coast and in Sabah, September and October are the wettest months. Monsoonal downpours can be heavy and prolonged, sometimes lasting two or three hours and prohibiting more or less all activity for the duration; boats to most of the islands in affected areas will not attempt the sea swell during the height of the rainy season.
The ideal time to visit is between March and early October, when you will avoid the worst of the rains and there is less humidity, though note that both ends of this period can be characterized by a stifling lack of breezes. Despite the rains, the months of January and February are rewarding, with a number of significant festivals, notably Chinese New Year and the Hindu celebration of Thaipusam, taking place.